Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!samsung!munnari.oz.au!metro!cluster!andrewt
From: andrewt@cluster.cs.su.oz.au (Andrew Taylor)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Thanks for monotreme replies... one more question.
Message-ID: <2449@cluster.cs.su.oz.au>
Date: 21 May 91 04:48:56 GMT
References: <1991Apr23.082506.29920@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu> <1991May20.170733.14785@ssd.kodak.com>
Organization: Dept. of Comp. Science, Uni of Sydney, Australia
Lines: 17

In article <1991May20.170733.14785@ssd.kodak.com>,
bredy@alkp.serum.kodak.com (Dan Bredy (x37360)) writes:
> Speaking of duck-billed platypuses, have any of these ever been raised in
> captivity? If so what zoos (preferably in North America) might one be able to
> see them in?

Platypus have been bred twice in captivity. The great self-trained naturalist
David Fleay successfully bred a single platypus in Melbourne ~1941. The 2nd
successful breeding was ~6 months ago at an Adelaide sanctuary. This involved
a large enclosure which attempted to duplicate natural conditions. The birth
was noticed until the young platypus was out of the den and swimming.

Sydney's Taronga zoo has an excellent platypus exhibit. I believe Melbourne
also has a good one. I don't know of any zoo outside Australia which
has platypuses.

Andrew Taylor